But to answer the question that I've been asked at least a million times: yes, I am excited to be home. Of course if I was hating it after being here barely 3 days, I think I would have bigger issues. In all seriousness though, I am loving every minute of it. As I've said before, my whole being was desperately crying out for a break, for time to step back and truly reflect on what the heck just happened for the past 4 months of my life. I'm not sure I have a definitive answer and that's ok. I probably won't have one even when June rolls around. What I do know is that my mind seems to be in this dualistic/Jekyll and Hyde state where I'm loving home and everyone and everything that comes with it, but at the same time I miss my Belizean family and I especially miss my kids. But there is a bit of comfort in the startling reality that 3 weeks is going to fly. I can't wait to be back with them though that's partially because I'm worried about the trouble they're getting into. And yet as I'm sitting in Florida of all places, bundled up, and still freezing, I can't imagine taking one more cold shower. Yuck. I can't think about cold showers right now.
To distract my mind and my numb toes from the horrible thought of leaving hot water, I suppose I'll share a little about the rest of finals week and coming home. I must warn you though, there was nothing terribly exciting. But I don't really think anything in this blog is terribly exciting, so if you've even gotten this far in the crazy adventure of my life, then you must have some remote interest in hearing about these things.
After Tuesday, I only had 2 more exams to proctor, one on Wednesday and one on Thursday, so I was able to knock out the rest of my grading/recording and finish the math exams. It also gave me ample time to hangout with students which is always my favorite. One of these afternoon hangout sessions manifested itself in the library when I went to visit Kelley and within 2 seconds there was a swarm of boys in there just to be there. What were they doing you ask? Making bead bracelets of course.
Crafternoon with Ms. Kelley. They were occupied with beads for at least 30 minutes during which Kelley and I each received our own bracelets complete with backward letters and everything.
I do have one funny story from Thursday. I was proctoring my last exam for 4th Formers and everyone in the class had finished and left after the first hour/hour and 15 minutes except for 2 students. They were there forever. And it's a good thing I love both of them because I just wanted to yell, "Ian!!! Write your essay! What have you been doing for the past hour and a half???" Well with about 15 minutes left in the exam time, the second to last student left, but then returned about 1 minute later. So I walk to the door wondering why he would returned to the room he just spent almost 2 hours in and he goes, "Miss, boogie is in the chapel." Now I just stared at him wondering if finals had just gotten to his poor little mind and also realizing I didn't open the chapel that morning, but finally after a few silent seconds of staring at each other I say slightly annoyed and exasperated, "Juan. What is a boogie." "The dog, Miss. It's in the chapel." "There's a dog in the chapel?" "Yes." "So...can you get it out?" "No, Miss. The door is locked." "So you're telling me that the dog is locked in the chapel." "Yes, Miss." I burst out laughing. I also sent Juan downstairs to get my keys only to discover that they were upstairs in the classroom with me, but eventually he and another students managed to rescue the stupid dog out of the chapel while I'm just cracking up as poor Ian is trying to finish his exam so that we can both get out of there. Dogs locked in chapels, TIB.
Then Friday came, the day of freedom and packing and last minute desperate pleas to my students to be safe and make good choices over break. It was the least stressful packing I've ever endured in my life and trust me, I hate packing, I hate it, I hate it, I hate it. But this was great! Kelley and I turned up the music and freaked out about all the good and bad things about going home. But we got it done and then we were able to hang out with people and even see some of our students at the basketball court that night.
Saturday. What a long day. It started at 6 am Central Time and ended at 2 am Eastern Time and only a light 20 minute nap on a plane. I don't know how to describe saying goodbye to the other volunteers any other way besides strange. It certainly wasn't overly emotional, I wasn't happy to see them go, it was just "Oh we've seen each other all the dang time for 4 months and now we're parting ways. Hm." Joe, Kelley, Jack, Michael, and I were all on the same flight into Houston, so even though Joe had to split pretty quickly to catch his connecting flight, the rest of us were able to have dinner together. And let me tell you, Subway never tasted so good!
Food that doesn't contain rice!
Michael: "We're way to excited about chips in this picture." It's the little things.
But just in case our dinner wasn't already awesome, they were putting out fresh cookies when a couple of them crumbled and broke from sheer freshness. So Kelley being Kelley asked if we could have them. Yep, we got free fresh Subway cookies.
Welcome to the USA!
And we all made it home safe and sound. I made it into my nice fluffy bed, I'm enjoying feeling clean, and slowly but surely I'm adjusting to life in the States. I really am looking forward to my break with its promise of many little adventures: a baby shower, family visits, friend visits, oh! and a trip to Disney!! Life is good. It is so very good.
St. Maximilian Kolbe, pray for us.
Totus Tuus, Maria.
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